Apparatus for making sheet glass



Aug. 11, 1925. 1,549,513

H. G. SLINGLUFF APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET GLASS Filed June 5. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 11, 1925- 1,549.513

H. cs. SLINGLUFF APPARATUS FOR MAKING SHEET GLASS Filed June b, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fll5.Z.

INVENTOR Patented Aug. 11, 1925.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY G. SLINGLUFF, OF MOUNT VERNON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING- SHEET GLASS.

Application filed June 5,

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HARRY G. SLINGLUFF, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Mount Vernon, in the county of Knox and State ofOhio, have made a new and useful invention in Improvements in Apparatus for Making SheetGlass, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for making sheet glass and particularly to the means applicable where the continuous sheet is drawn from an open pool or bath, for maintaining the width of the sheet during a protracted drawing period. It has for its principal objects; (1) the provision of improved means, and procedure, applicable in the relation stated, and requiring only a very simple construction, for automatically maintaining the position of the edges of the sheet at substantially fixed points so that a continuous sheet is secured of uniform width and having straight smooth edges, and (2) the provision of edge maintaining means and procedure which accomplish the holding function without rendering the edges hard and brittle or rough, so that breakage due tothese causes and to insutlicient annealing are avoided. Certain means for carrying out the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: T I Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the drawing apparatus with which the edge holding device is preferably used,

' such drawing apparatus being shown in my pending application, Serial Number 621,184. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through one side of a drawing tank showing the edge holding device in side elevation. Figs. 3 and. 4 are sectional views on the'lincs III -Hl and IVIV respectively of Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional and plan views illus trating a modification. And Fig. '7 is a sectional view illustrating still another modification.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is the drawing tank or extension carrying a molten bath or pool of glass 2 in communication with a suitable melting tank, the end 3 only of which is shown and 4 and 5 are endless-belts,

1924. Serial No. 718,029.

are solid steel bars circular in cross section lying in the lower ends of the belts and servin by reason of their weights to hold the be ts 1n tension;,11 are a series of rolls back of the inner flights of the belts for pressing the belts against the lass, such rolls being yieldingly held inward by. means of springs or weights, not shown; 12 and 13 are pairs of driven rolls covered with asbestos for assisting in the. drawing of the sheet; and '14 is one of the edge holding devices, it being understood that such edge holding devicesma be used in connection with any form of drawing mechanism, and that one of these devices is used on'each side of the sheet: 1 I T The member 14, in its preferred form, con sists of a dished plate or bowl provided with the slot 15 which extends from one edge of the member inward to about the center thereof. This member is preferably a casting of steel or iron or of some heat resisting metal. It may vary considerably. in diameter and other proportions, but has been found to work very satisfactorily when madeabout 9 or 10 inches in diameter with the slot 15 approximatel 1 inch wide. It is desirable that itJnay e adjustably supported so that its height may be varied and also its distance from the furnace wall 16. This may be accomplished in a great variety of ways, the method shown being relatively simple and serving to give the necessary adjustments. As illustrated, a bar 17 is employed bolted to the inner face of the member 14 and supported upon the three members 18, 19 and 20, the members 18 and 20 being forked at their upper ends to receive the bar, while the member 19 is slotted with the bar extending through the slot. The members 19 and 20 are adjustable as to height in the standards 21 and 22, the set screw 23 serving to hold the member 19, while the nut 24 holds the member 20. This arrangement permits of a vertical adj ustment'of the position of the member 14 and its adjustment toward and from the center line of the sheet.

In using the apparatus, the sheet drawing is started by the use of a bait which is dipped into the glass and drawn up through the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, the de vices 14 being at such time out of position so that this starting operation is not interfered with. As soon as the sheet is started, the members 14, which have been heated IOU until they show color, are put, in the position illustrated with the lower convex surface of the members at about 1 inches above the level of the lass and just contacting with the tapering ase 25 of the sheet 6 as indicated in Fig. 4. This contact serves to hold the edge of the sheet and prevent its gradually working inward, as would be the case if no holding means were employed. The holdin effect is'apparently' due to adhesion, as t e drawn sheet at its edge shows a slight lining indicating that there has been some adherence 'to the metal of the members 14, and these members when removed from service show a slight amount of lazing at the points of contact with the mo ten glass. The extreme outer portion 26 (Fig. 3) of the head or enlargement which is formed is ordinarily perfectly smooth, indicating that this portion of the sheet does not contact with the metal of the member 14, and the lining of the edge occurs inward from this portion 26 and more on one side of the sheet than the other. This is probably due to the width of the slot as compared with the thickness of the sheet, and the fact that the sheet does not remain perfect central with re spect to the slot, ut ten 5 to work over to one side or-other of the slot as indicated in Fig. 3. Theedge which is produced, therefore, is in most cases perfectly smooth at its extreme outer portion, and on one side of the edge inward from this outer portion, the surface is practically free from lines,

while on the other side of the edge if is slightly lined.

While in service the members 14 receive sulficient heat from the glass to keep them at a temperature such that they show color, and the edges of the glass sheet, when once fixed, continue in these positions, so that the sheet is always of the same width, and these edges are comparatively. soft and well annealed. It is believed that the improved condition of the edges as compared with edges formed by stripping fingers or hand operated stroking tools is due to the temperature conditions established by the use of the members 14 and incident to their heat retaining capacity and to their shielding effect. It is also believed that the temperature conditions of the glass, both in the bath below the members 14, and in the edges of the sheet thereabove, are maintained relatively high and more uniform than is the case where these devices are not employed, and this gives an edge which is softer and better annea'led than if these conditions of temperature were not maintained. The members 14 afpparently act "as shields for the glass bath t erebeneath and reflect the heat from the bath downward, while their shape is such that they enclose portions of the edges of the sheet, shielding them and tending to temper them by reason of the radiated heat from the relatively heavy metal. For these tuations of tem erature tending to produce unevenness in t e quality of the glass constituting the edges. A uniform well annealed edge is hi hly desirable, since otherwise a great dea of breakage is caused in the drawing 0 eration incident to thestrain set up in the ges tending to warp the sheet. This of itself not only tends to fracture the sheet, but also leads to breakage, due to the crushing pressure exerted by the drawing devices upon the sheet tending to break it when it is not perfectly flat. It has'been found that the quality of the edge is best when the slot 1.5,is' relatively wide, several times the thickness of the sheet to be produced, and when this slot does not extend further into the members 14 than illustrated, namel ,amout the center.

I am furt er of the opinion that the placing of the members 14above the surface of the bath rather than; in contact with it serves to secure a somewhat higher temperature at these portions of the bath and a more uniform temperature, since the members, particularly if formed of metal, (which is, the preferred material) will conduct the heat very rapidly from the bath if in contact with it over a substantial area. The heat absorbed by the members under these conditions is transmitted to the atmosphere, thus reducing the temperature of the glass beneath the bath and causing such temperature to fluctuate (under varying atmospheric temperature conditions) to a greater degree than is the case with the members s aced above the bath. For this reason, it 1s preferred to s ace the members 14, above the surface 0 the bath, and for the further reason, that under these conditions the members are not subject to the corrosive action of the lass, which would require the making of t e members of special heat resisting composition, if they were kept in contact with the molten bath. However, I have found that the members 14 will operate successfully, even if lowered, so that their bottoms contact with the surface of the bath, so that in itsbroader aspect, the invention is not limited to the use of the members out of contact with'the surface of the bath. When lowered so as to contact with the surface of the bath, the major ortions of the members still lie above the evel of thebath and the edges of the sheet are drawn through the slots 15 in the members just as in the preferred operation. Underthese conditions, however, the edge of the sheet works out toward the 'end of the sl'it 15 in the member. a distance depending on the amount the dish iao shaped member is pressed into the bath.

the glass edge at a definite point in the 1 slot 15, which remains fixed throughout the drawing operation.

" F'gs. 5 and 6 illustrate a vmodificationin.

' which'the member 27 for holding the edgeer ing a slot 29' through which degree of effectiveness the sh%t is inverted' This device is not as satisfactory as the one illustrated in Figs. 1 to4, but itwill maintain the edge {of the sheet and give an annealing effect some. what similar to that or the other form of device, the mass of metal serving to holdthe heat in the vicin'itof the edge and to shield sub/hedge and be bath beneath. Similarly asv to the constrilction of' Fig; 7 in which 'a flat plate 28 is embployed have edge of the sheet is drawn. It made of suflicient mass and area, and if properly adjusted, this form of device will perform to a large degree the function of the construction of Figs. 1 to 4, although not with the same What I claim is:

1. In combination with apparatus ar ranged so as to draw a glass sheet from an open pool of molten glass, of'means for preventing inward movement of'the edge of the-sheet in said open ool, comprising a shielding member spaced above the surface of the pool but closely adjacent thereto and provided with a slot on its inner side into which the edge of the sheet extends, such member being of suflicientarea and mass to materially retire the radiation of the heat from the area ofthe pool beneath 'it from jwhich the edge of the sheet is drawn, and sufficient to materially retard the cooling of the edge of the sheet above said member.

2. In combination with a paratus ar ranged so as to draw'a glass s set from an open pool of molten glass, of means for pr-" venting inward movement of the edge of the sheet in said open pool, comprising a shielding plate spaced above the surface of the. molten pool, but closely adjacent thereto and having a slot extending inwardly from its edge and fitting around the edge of the sheet, the said plate being dished with its convex side down.

3. In combination with apparatus arranged so as to draw a glass sheet from an open pool of molten glass, of means for preventing inward movement of the edge of the sheet in said pool, comprising a shielding plate spaced above the surface of the molten pool, but closely adjacent thereto and havin a slot extending inwardly from its edge and fitting around the edge of the sheet, the said plate being of such area and thickness, so as to perform the flinctioris 'of shielding a sub stantial area of said open pool surrounding ing member spa po'oland provided witha ,slot entendinginof the edge of the sheet in's'aid"opeii "and prevent FHClMtlOH'Of heat from the the edge of the-sheet at its base and of retardingthe radiation of heat fro'm siicli area, so that such area'of the pool is hotter than the-"glass surrounding it', e

t. In combination with zip rangedso as to a glass open-p051 of mQken-glassf'oi can v n -i v id'mvr ni n b d sheetiii' saidope'npool, compi'isin ashielding member spaced above the, surraoe' o'f the pool but closely-adjacent theretoand rovidedwitlgi 'a' slot'on' its inner side ism 16h theedeoffth'e Sheet extends, but o f jsub stantia 1y greate'fwidthfthan the thickness of the-"glass"edge -which is to be formed therein-,tliesaid-'member havin' a massand heat radiatingcapacity such t at the cooling of the edge of the sheet lyin the -member" is materially re/tarde 5; In combination with; apparatus ar-' ranged so as to draw'a glass sheet from an 1 open pool of molten glass, of means for pre; venting inward movement of the edge ofthe sheet in said open 001, comprisin a shield:v

cad above the sur ace of the adjacent ward-1y from its ed e and surroundiiig the edge of the. base-o the sheet, the member being at a level "adjacent the stirface of; the pool such that the metal surrounding: the slot engages theta pe-ring base of such sheet, the said member havin a mass and heat radiating capacity su'chthat the cooling of the edge-of the sheet lyingadja'cent the, member is materially retarded. 6. In combination with apparatus; ar-' ranged to draw a glass sheet from an open a pool of molten glass, of a hot member spaced above the surface of the poolbut closely ads jacent thereto and positioned to have the edge portion of the sheet contact therewith and by adhesion prevent inwardmovemenlt a co being of sufiicient area tos ieldfl1 0 said mem er molten glass in the pool underneath it, so that the temperature thereof is greater than that of the surroundin glass.

7. In combination wit. apparatus arranged to draw a glass sheet from an open 001 of molten glass, of a hot member space above the surface of the pool but closely adjacent thereto and positioned to have the edge portion of the sheet contact therewith and by adhesion prevent inward movement of the edge of the sheet in said pool, said member being of such mass that the heat absorbed by it from the pool and radiated to the edge portion of the sheet will cause such edge por tion to anneal.

8. In combination with apparatus arranged to draw a glass sheet from an open pool of molten glass, of a hot member above the surface of the pool but closely adjacent thereto and positioned to l me the edge portio'nof the sheet contact therewith and by adhesion prevent inward movement of the edge of the sheet in said open pool, said member being of such form as to shield the ranged to draw a; edge portion of the glass above it and 'pre pool of molten- I H vent too rapid coolipg and of such lateral her having its sides above the surface of the area and mass as to materially red1c e thef bath-end with a. slot on its inner sid@ coolin by radiation of the portioifof the throiigh which 1 rom which the) edge of the sheet i s tefids and isdre'v rl g r I raxvn. V M 11. ;In combination withapperatlis arglass sheet from mppen coolingQof such edge and promote its annea1ing-. s i V 10. In eo'mbinatigniwith apperatigser- 9. In combination with apparatus. arranged to draw ran ed to draw a. glass sheetffrom aniopen pool of molten poo of molten glass of ahot member slpeced member-of meta composition with its con-- above the surface 6 the'fiofiiit close 3' advex side downand having its sides above the. jacent thereto and positionegi to haye the surface of the bath with a slot on its inner edge portion of the sheetgeogtieetnthelewith jde through which the edge of the'sheet exand by adhesion prerenfv: ent tends and zsdra'wn.

of the edge of the sheetin said-open pooh. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto said member bein o-fsuch-area and mass as subscribed my name this 31st day' of to thereby shield 15 e glass in the pool under- May, 1924. 1 neath it and radiateheat to the edge portion of the glass above it so 'as to retard the HARRY G. SLINGLUF F.

the; edge of, the sheet 'e'x- 25 glass sheet from an open glass, of a dish1shapeg1mem+ v lass, of a concave convex v ran 'ed to draw a glass sheet from an open pool of molten glass of a hot member spaced above the surface of the pool but closely adj aeent thereto and positioned to have the edge portion of the sheet contact therewith and by adhesion prevent inward movement of the edge of the sheet in said open pool, said member being of such area and mass as to thereby shield the glass in the pool underneath it and radiate heat to the edge portion of the glass above it so as to retard the by radiation of the portion of the" cooling of such edge and promote its annealing.

10. In combination with a paratus arranged to draw a glass sheet rom an open 001 of molten glass, of a dish shaped memer having its sides above the surface of the bath and with a slot on its ,inner side through which the edge of the sheet extends and is drawn. a

11. In combination with apparatus arranged to draw a glass sheet from an open pool of molten glass, of a concave convex member of metal composition with its convex side down and having its sides above the surface of the bath with a slot on its inner side through which the edge of the sheet extends and is drawn.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of May, 1924-.

HARRY G. SLINGLUFF.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1549,5313, granted August 11, 1925, upon the application of Harry G. Slinglufi', of hfount Vernon, Ohio, for an improvement in Apparatus for Making Sheet Glass," an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 37, claim 1, for the word retire read retard; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Pa tent Oiiice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of October, A. D. 1925.

fsnan] KARL FENNING, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,549,513, granted August 11, 1925, upon the application of Harry G. Slinglufl', of Mount Vernon, Ohio, for an improvement in Apparatus for Making Sheet Glass, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 37, claim 1, for the word retire read retard; and that the said Letters Patent shonld be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice. I

Signed and sealed this 13th day of October, A. D. 1925.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

